Iran to Rely on Local Wheat

The Iranian Agriculture Minister, Issa Kalantri, has recently said that the government considers to purchase wheat from local farmers in high prices. This move is aimed at encouraging local production

The Iranian Agriculture Minister, Issa Kalantri, has recently said that the government considers to purchase wheat from local farmers in high prices. This move is aimed at encouraging local production and diminish reliance on imports.

Talking to al-Wifaq daily the minister said "We drafted proposal to purchase wheat in high prices and presented it to the President, Muhammad Khatami." He added "Farmers have been avoiding this strategic crop due to the low price of indigenous wheat."

The Agriculture Ministry pledged to purchase the wheat and other grains from the local farmers in fixed prices. Later, official agencies sell the flour to bakeries in subsidized prices in order to protect the Iranian poor people.